Nigeria, Canada Seal Direct Flight Deal

The agreement further grants Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations, allowing designated cargo airlines to transport freight between two foreign countries, provided the service begins or ends in the airline's home country.

Nigeria and Canada have signed an expanded bilateral air transport agreement that clears the way for direct scheduled flights between both countries, marking a significant milestone in aviation, trade and people-to-people relations.

The agreement was signed on Thursday in Abuja by Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Air Transport Management at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, on behalf of Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and Shendra Melia, Canada's Chief Air Negotiator for Global Affairs.

A statement by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, said the deal followed a technical review of the existing bilateral air services framework by officials from both countries.

Under the revised agreement, Nigeria and Canada can each designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled passenger and cargo services. The pact also provides for up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for designated airlines from each country.

The agreement further grants Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations, allowing designated cargo airlines to transport freight between two foreign countries, provided the service begins or ends in the airline's home country.

The ministry said the expanded framework is expected to boost air connectivity by enabling direct flights, reducing travel time, improving passenger convenience, lowering logistics costs and strengthening trade, investment and cultural ties between Nigeria and Canada.

Moshood said the agreement would also enhance educational exchanges, business travel, tourism and family reunification.

He noted that the Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement was initially negotiated in 2014 as a code-share arrangement and formally signed in March 2025. The latest accord represents the first major expansion of the bilateral aviation framework in more than a decade.

The signing comes days after the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development announced the resumption of negotiations with Canadian authorities to resolve outstanding issues delaying the commencement of direct air services between the two countries.